METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY INITIATING A COMPUTER SECURITY AND/OR SCREEN SAVER MODE

• US 20020056046A1
• Filed: 03/09/1998
• Published: 05/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mei California, Inc. (Micron Technology, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mei California, Inc. (Micron Technology, Inc.)
• Inventors: KLEIN, DEAN A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,401,209 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3218 of display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A method for automatically switching a computer to a password protected screen saver mode when a computer user leaves the proximity of the computer. A proximity sensor determines whether or not an individual is located proximate the computer. The proximity sensor interfaces with either the computer a bus bridge, a keyboard controller, a keyboard, or some another component of the computer to cause the computer to start executing a screen saver program responsive to an output signal from the proximity sensor. A variety of proximity sensors may be used, including ultrasound, infrared, or electromagnetic proximity sensors. A proximity sensor may also detect the presence of a computer user by detecting the weight of the user at a location proximate the computer.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the operating mode of a computer, comprising:

detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer; and

causing the computer to execute a screen saver program responsive to detecting that the person is not located proximate the computer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises detecting whether there is movement of an object proximate the computer.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting ultrasound energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting ultrasound energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting infrared light in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting infrared light reflected from the person proximate the computer.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting electromagnetic energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises detecting the weight of the person at a predetermined location proximate the computer.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of causing the computer to execute a screen saver program further comprises preventing the computer from executing an application program in an unprotected manner unless a password is correctly entered while the computer is executing the screen saver program.

8. A method of controlling the operating mode of a computer, comprising:

detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer; and

causing the computer to operate in a screen saver mode responsive to detecting that the person is not located proximate the computer.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises detecting whether there is movement of an object proximate the computer.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting ultrasound energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting ultrasound energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting infrared light in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting infrared light reflected from the person proximate the computer.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting electromagnetic energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises detecting the weight of the person at a predetermined location proximate the computer.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of causing the computer to operate in the screen saver mode further comprises preventing the computer from executing an application program in an unprotected manner unless a password is correctly entered while the computer is operating in the screen saver mode.